DCU Center ready for $23 million renovation

Tuesday

Jan 22, 2013 at 1:00 PMJan 22, 2013 at 9:44 PM

Wielding some pretty good-sized mallets, a few community leaders took some whacks this morning at a huge column that supports the main entrance of the DCU Center. The ceremonial event marked the start of the first major refurbishment that the arena has seen since it opened 30 years ago.

By Bronislaus B. Kush TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

Wielding some pretty good-sized mallets, a few community leaders took some whacks this morning at a huge column that supports the main entrance of the DCU Center.

The ceremonial event marked the start of the first major refurbishment of the arena since it opened 30 years ago.

In conjunction with the startup of the $23 million renovation project, the ownership of the Worcester Sharks today announced that the American Hockey League subsidiary of the San Jose Sharks will call the DCU Center home for at least another three years.

City Manager Michael V. O'Brien, at a gathering of government, business and community leaders, said the two developments bolster the notion that Worcester is hitting its stride with its recent revitalization efforts.

He said the upgrades to the city-owned DCU Center are necessary to ensure that the building is competitive with similar facilities in other New England cities, notably Providence, R.I., and Manchester, N.H.

The blueprint for the upgrade includes a redesigned box office, four new event suites, retail space along an expanded concourse, revamped restrooms, as well as work on the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

The arena will be shut down from May to September, with an October reopening planned.

See video at right for more on the renovations.

City officials said the building's exterior changes will complement the neighboring CitySquare project.

Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray, noting that he worked at the DCU Center as a youth, was on hand for this morning's ceremony. He recalled that discussion in the 1970s of constructing a city arena was a politically charged one, resulting in two heated referendums. The proposal even needed a boost from then-Bishop Timothy Harrington.

This morning, City Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes said the building “withstood the test of time,” drawing thousands over the years with its various events.

“Worcester has started believing in itself,” she said.

Sandy Dunn, the DCU Center's general manager, said the complex is a premier regional center and continually draws big crowds and top acts. She said the building is successful because the city continues to invest in it.

The upgrades will be funded through tax revenues from a special financing zone made up of the arena and convention center, the Hilton Garden Inn, the Major Taylor Boulevard parking garage, and the Residence Inn on Plantation Street.

Sharks President Michael A. Mudd said the city has been a good fit for his team over the past seven years.

He said the city has followed up on its promises to keep the DCU Center in good shape and his team has been a good partner by providing various youth-oriented programs.

Mr. Mudd also noted that 38 Worcester Sharks players have moved on to the National Hockey League and the organization welcomed its one-millionth fan on Oct. 28.